To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARTIN DEHN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Hooks for Hanging Pictures and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

' or horizontal position.

- Referring to the drawings herewith, Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of my hooks with a segment of Wall and frame shown in section. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of my hooks provided with a screw-thread end to engage in the frame of the picture. Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, a side and front elevation of a modified form of my hook especially adapted to small frames which are to be hung by the upper, horizontal section of the frame; and Fi 6 and 7 are similar views of another mo ified form for similar use, requiring but a single hook to support the frame.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the hook is made of wire, preferably of a steel wire which has rigidity, but which, at the same time, will bend under suflicient strain for the purposes hereafter explained. The upper end is drawn or sharpened to a point to form the part 1 to enter the wall. The lower end is similarly pointed to enter the back of the frame. The upper and lower points are, preferably,

'parallel with reference to their axes, and

with reference to the body portions are bent to an angle a trifle less than a right angle, as shown. The body portion consists of the vertical parts 2 and 5, which have, substantially, a common axis, and the loops 3 and 4, which are in a plane with each other and with the-parts 2 and 5. It

will thus be seen that the body portion lies fiat against the wall, and that the loops 3 and 4 prevent any side strain or tipping of the engaging points 1 and 6.

The hooks are used in the following manner: A hook is secured to each side of the frame in substantially the places where screw-e es would be inserted, by pressing or driving the points 6 into the frame, care being taken that the body portions are substantially parallel with the molding. Theframe is then held up to the wall in the desired position and pressed hard against the wall. This pressure causes the points 1 to enter the plastering or other material, and the picture is hung. But the chances are that while the picture is hung, it is not true; and herein is an important feature of my invention. If the parts 2 and 5 were continuous, without the loo s 3 and 4, the picture could be trued only loy detaching it from the wall, and, by repeated effort, finally placed in a relatively true position by pushing the oints 1 into the wall at various places. ut with my construction, if the frame is not true, all that is necessary is to pull down upon the side of the frame which is too high, and the loops 3 and 4 on that side will give or strai hten out slightly, as shown in exaggerated form in broken outline in Fig. 2. This in no wise loosens the hooks or mars the wall; and the picture is brought to true position at once where it remains permanently, since there is not even the sagging of ordinary picture wire which, in time, allows the picture to get out of true position. The number of loops 3 and 1 and the length of leverage will be determined by the character and size of metal employed.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a modified form of construction, wherein the point 6, which enters the frame, is wood-screw-threaded. This form of construction is especially adaptable to hooks for holding heavy frames.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown a modified form of construction especially adaptable to frames having a narrow molding and where the frame is to be supported by hooks engaging the upper, horizontal section. The construction of the points 1 and ,6 and the loops 3 and 1 is identical with that shown in Figs. 1 and 2; but the body portions 2 and 5 shown in those figuresare omitted,

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a form of hook by which a frame may be hung from ,its upper horizontal section by means of a single hook, and be trued and held in the trued position. Two sections of wire are twisted or otherwise secured medially as shown at 9. One section is curved as shown at 2 while the other section is oppositely curved "as shown at 5*. The ends of the curved portions 2? are bent to form the points 1, while the ends of the curvedportions 5 are bent.- in the opposite direction to forni the points 6 and 6 The points 6 and 6 are forced into the upper section of the frame, midway of its length, and then the points 1 and l are forced into the wall. 1 he picture may now be trued by pulling down on the points 6 or 6 as may be required, and the curves or loops 2 and 5 will act substantially the-same as the loops 3 and 4 in Fig. 2.

It will thus be seen that a feature running through all forms shown is the loop con-,

' sis?- struction of the body, bythe stretching 0 which a frame maybe 'trued after it i hung. 7

Having thus described my invention, ant without limiting myself to the precise con structions shown except as required by th scope of the appended claims, what I claim 1s:-

l. A hook having ends to engage with frame and a Wall surface, and a body por tion connecting the ends so formed and con taining a loop capable of being stretched t increase the distance between said ends.

2. A hook formed of two sections of meta secured together centrally of their length bendable loops adjacent to the point 0: union,"the ends of said sections being ben oppositely and outwardly in pairs to form two points for engaging in a frame and tWi points for engaging in a wall surface.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto se my hand in the presence of two witnesses MARTIN DEHN. Witnesses: